TWO Clydebank brothers have told how they grew their business from a simple market stall into one of the largest jewellery manufacturers in the UK.

Following in the footsteps of Sir Alan Sugar, John and Stewart Morgan started off from the humble beginnings of a stall at Drumchapel market, to become one of the most successful family-run businesses in the area.

The brothers, who own John Stewart Jewellers, have just taken a long term lease and moved into bigger premises at the Clyde Shopping Centre to accommodate their booming business.

Around 20 years ago, John and Stewart first moved into a unit at the shopping mall.

But last month, they welcomed their first customers to their brand new shop in the centre - which is around twice the size of their last one, at around 2,000sq ft.

The brothers put their success down to being able to provide services other high street jewellers can’t, as well as offering their customers flexibility and a personalised service.

John said: “We offer services that the multiple jewellers simply can’t, including repairs, alterations, valuation and remodelling work being our strengths. We also have jewellers in each of our branches.”

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The brothers often spend time travelling the world in search of raw materials, and supply finished products to many other retailers including nationwide PLC firms.

John added: “We are constantly travelling and sourcing raw materials for manufacturing and new products to bring the UK market.

“This month alone will see us in Italy, Turkey, Thailand and Hong Kong.”

The brothers, who grew up in Clydebank, also want to thank their customers for their loyalty over the last 20 years.

Stewart said: “We started the business in Drumchapel over 30 years ago and since then have gone from strength to strength.

“Clyde Shopping Centre is important to us being our local shopping centre and a place where we and our family have always shopped. We feel it’s a community shopping centre and we are very much part of that.

“From our perspective, its not all doom and gloom on the High Street, as places like Clyde Shopping Centre are actively supporting locally owned businesses.

“Independent businesses are bucking the trend that is seeing carnage among national retailers because they can offer flexibility and a personal service that neither the nationals nor the internet can.”

Ross Campbell, of centre management firm, Edinburgh House Estates, said: “John Stewart Jewellers are a long standing tenant at Clyde Shopping Centre, and it is a real boost of confidence for the centre to see an existing tenant up-sizing and taking a long-term lease.”